Season 2 • Episode 18
LatestWyler learns murder is often a family affair after a man claims to know who really murdered Tommy Banks and then Mary Beth's killer confesses.
Theodore 'Teddy' Hoffman is a highly-regarded defense attorney in a prestigious Los Angeles law firm. Having successfully defended the wealthy but suspicious Richard Cross in a much-publicised murder trial, he is now involved in the defense of Neil Avedon, a famous young actor who has been suffering from severe drug and alcohol problems - and has been charged with the murder for which Cross was acquitted.
Acting
Daniel Benzali's hypnotic, terrifying stillness as Hoffman
Writing
Steven Bochco's serialized gamble before The Sopranos made it cool
Production
One case across 23 episodes—network TV's most stubborn flex
Creators
Channing Gibson, Charles H. Eglee, Steven Bochco
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
ABC panicked after season 1 and demanded standalone episodes; Daniel Benzali refused, got replaced by Anthony LaPaglia, and the show died anyway. Artistic integrity: 1, Ratings: 0.
This was Bochco's $2 million/episode gamble to save network drama from Law & Order's procedural dominance—instead it became a cult footnote about trying too hard too early.
US
